The best seafood in Chicago might be just a short distance from your restaurant business. Despite being so far inland, seafood Chicago vendors are more popular than you might think. With the help of wholesale distribution channels, Chicago-based food service establishments can purchase seafood from either coast or somewhere abroad. In this article, we’re going to discuss the five best wholesale seafood distributors that reside in Chicago. Read on to learn all about them.
5 Best Seafood Chicago Wholesale Vendors
Chicago is the third largest city in the nation, making it one of the major restaurant hubs. So, in order to achieve restaurant success in The Windy City, it’s vital that you have a diverse menu. This means that there must be a section dedicated to seafood dishes, with different types of fish sprinkled throughout the appetizer list, too. But from where will you get said products? Consider shopping for bulk fish from one of the five wholesale vendors below!
1. Wabash Seafood
As Chicago’s premier seafood purveyor, Wabash Seafood provides local restaurants with some of the best protein sources on the market. Well, those that fall within the fish and seafood categories, of course. They’re especially suitable for sustainable restaurants, as all of their sourcing and packing methods are ethical and up to par with modern sustainability efforts.
Wabash Seafood offers over two dozen types of fish and seafood all year round. Some of the best-selling options in this category include:
- Tuna
- Cod
- Scallops
- Salmon
- Oysters
- Whitefish
- Squid
- Mahi Mahi
- Chilean Sea Bass
Wabash Seafood’s product catalog also contains a variety of seasonal and specialty seafood. If you’re planning to place an order with this premium wholesaler, we recommend checking in with the staff to confirm what they have in stock. Due to the rotating seasonality of seafood, it’s common for their selection to constantly change.
But here’s the thing–if you work within the restaurant industry, changing your menu as your vendor’s product offerings change isn’t a bad idea. After all, menu engineering of some kind is always a recommendation among food service professionals. Besides, offering seasonal menu items and specials is a foolproof way to attract customers.
2. Blue Marlin Wholesale
If you’re in the market for a variety of seafood at a wholesale price, look no further than Blue Marlin Wholesale. They offer fresh and frozen seafood, as well as a selection of shellfish.
Blue Marlin Seafood also distributes wholesale seafood to businesses far beyond Chicago. They sell seafood to restaurants and retail stores in Northern Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana, too. So even when your business becomes so successful that you begin opening new locations, you won’t have to switch suppliers.
3. Eastern Seafood Specialty
As one of the leading seafood suppliers in all of Chicago, Eastern Seafood Specialty simplifies the shopping experience for its customers. For instance, they have a product catalog strictly dedicated to seafood that’s needed in Japanese restaurants. This is ideal for eateries with a sushi menu.
Meanwhile, they also cater to European and Mediterranean cuisines. Eastern Seafood Specialty does this by marketing another product catalog as one suitable for Italian, Spanish, and Greek restaurants. It’s also worth noting that American cuisine falls within this category as well.
When companies are able to take the guesswork out of purchasing bulk products, transactions can take place much quicker. Plus, it’s a clear indication that a supplier often works with a niche market. Or in this case, two.
4. Gold Star Seafood Inc.
For over two decades, Gold Star Seafood has been supplying businesses throughout the Chicago metropolitan area with some of the best seafood products. Not only can you find their products in the kitchens of countless restaurants, but throughout nearby grocery stores as well.
So, does your business need to stock up on fresh or frozen seafood? Luckily, Gold Star Seafood sells a mix of both! If you’re concerned about having fresh seafood shipped to your business, don’t worry! Due to the close proximity between Gold Star Seafood’s facilities and all their clients, some deliveries even take place on the same day!
Did you know that same-day delivery is something that you can promote on the Endless Aisle–BlueCart’s ultimate digital marketplace? If shoppers operate their business near your facilities, your products can show up when they filter through items that they need ASAP. As you can imagine, the Endless Aisle for vendors is a game-changer for boosting sales!
5. Dee’s Seafood Chicago Inc.
Due to the logistics and transportation measures that are necessary for shipping bulk seafood to the Midwestern United States, many seafood companies in Chicago sell frozen alternatives. That’s what Dee’s Seafood specializes in.
But what kinds of frozen seafood does Dee’s Seafood Chicago sell? See the list below to check if they offer anything you need to stock up on:
- Shrimp
- Scallops
- Crab
- Lobster
- Squid
- Fish filets
- Fish for sushi
The versatility of frozen seafood makes it ideal for both restaurants and supermarkets. For one, using it to prepare various types of seafood dishes is fairly similar to when you use fresh fish. But most importantly, frozen seafood can be kept in a freezer for extended periods of time. This way, food spoilage is a much lesser risk.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seafood Chicago
When shopping for wholesale seafood, Chicago, Illinois might not seem like the most obvious place to get it. However, that shouldn’t stop you from buying all your seafood in bulk from nearby suppliers. To learn more about the topic, check out the selection of frequently asked questions and answers below.
Which Are the Best Seafood Wholesalers In Chicago?
Several of the best seafood Chicago vendors include the following companies:
- Wabash Seafood
- Blue Marlin Wholesale
- Eastern Seafood Specialty
- Gold Star Seafood Inc.
- Dee’s Seafood Chicago Inc.
Are There a Lot of Seafood Wholesalers In Chicago, IL?
Yes, there are several seafood wholesalers in Chicago, IL. Plus, there are even more seafood markets that are available to consumers. While these retailers primarily sell individual units of products to customers, many food service businesses can work with seafood markets to place custom bulk orders.
Are There Any Seafood Dishes That Chicago Is Known For?
Yes, there are a handful of seafood dishes that Chicago is known for, such as Chicago-style shrimp, gumbo, and lobster rolls. Since food service establishments in Chicago acquire their seafood products from coastal suppliers, it’s not necessarily about the city being known for a particular type of seafood. Instead, it’s more about seasonings, cooking methods, and the ways in which the dishes are prepared.
Which Are the Best Seafood Markets In Chicago, IL?
Some of the best seafood markets in Chicago, IL include:
- Market Fisheries
- Fisherman’s Island
- Hagen’s Fish Market
- Lawrence Fish Market
- Seafood City Supermarket
- Dirk’s Fish & Gourmet Shop
- The Fishguy Market & Wellfleet
How Do Chicago Seafood Distributors Get Their Inventory?
Chicago seafood distributors get their inventory from domestic and international fishing companies selling wholesale products. With the help of transportation fleets and cold chain logistics, seafood vendors all over the world can ship products to distributors with ease and efficiency.
Seafood Chicago Vendors: Access Them Through BlueCart
Did you know that one of BlueCart’s specialties is seafood? That's right–an overabundance of seafood wholesalers use the BlueCart platform to sell products to the masses. Some of them are even located in the Midwest! If you would like to use the software as a buyer to locate where you can get the best seafood Chicago has to offer, schedule a demo with us today!